Criticism of Mormonism/Books/Early Mormonism and the Magic World View/Chapter 2

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A FAIR Analysis of:
Criticism of Mormonism/Books
A work by author: D. Michael Quinn

Divining rods, Treasure-Digging, and Seer Stones

Page Claim Response Author's sources

31

  • Joseph Smith is claimed to have "continued to express his belief in witches" even as President of the Church.
  • The author refers us to Chapter 7

37

  • Oliver's "gift" is originally defined in a revelation as the gift of "working with the rod."

38

  • The author claims that Oliver Cowdery's father was "later identified as a Vermont rodsman."
  • The author earlier describes the "Wood Scrape" incident (p. 36) and notes, "A connection between William Cowdery and the Wood Scrape would help explain why his son Oliver had a rod through which he received revelations."
  • The author refers to "Vermont reports about William Cowdery." Earlier references include the following:
    • Barnes Frisbie, History of Middletown, 43.
    • Vogel, Early Mormon Documents, 1:618, 607, 607n14, 599.

39

  • Luman Walters is claimed by the author to have been "identified by Palmyra neighbors as a conjuror and [Joseph] Smith's mentor."
  • No source provided.

56

  • Joseph was convicted in 1826 of being a "disorderly person" because he was a "glass-looker."

57, 400n226

  • Hugh Nibley wrote that if the court record were genuine, that it would be "the most devastating blow to Smith ever delivered."
  • Nibley, Myth Makers, 142.